We must not apply scissors: Shyam Benegal on CBFC

I received a letter from the government asking me to be part of a committee to look into the functioning of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which currently follows the procedures and guidelines under the Cinematography Act of 1952. Over the next two months, our committee will look at whether there are changes that need to be made in the Act and in the way the CBFC functions. If yes, we will recommend the kind of changes.

A range of things needs to be addressed. Some of the practices that were followed by the CBFC recently appear to be somewhat arbitrary. One of the things that I feel is important is not to apply scissors and blindly cut out scenes or even shorten them. A better way would be to classify the films in terms of their suitability for different kinds of audiences in terms of age, maturity, sensibility and sensitivity. It is important to remember that there cannot be a permanent system. As society and its norms keep changing so must the system. Even rules made 20 years ago may no longer apply.

We will question whether there are better methods to be looked at. For this, we will have to study the procedures and specifications followed by other countries – across the Americas, UK, Europe and Asia. Whatever we do as filmmakers, we have to find a normative way of doing it, through the filter of our own social norms.

Shyam Benegal has been appointed as one of the members of the committee set up to offer recommendations to revamp the Central Board of Film Certification and the Cinematography Act (1952)

(As told to Moeena Halim.)